In North Carolina, when a worker is killed in a workplace accident, his widow and children typically are entitled to receive worker’s compensation death benefits. However, the situation can be very complicated when the worker dies while unmarried. In 2018, we held a full evidentiary hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission and successfully obtained […]

In August of 2016, we were associated by an out-of-state attorney regarding a motor vehicle collision that occurred in North Carolina over a year earlier. The collision was caused by a vehicle owned by a landscaping company, and the insurance company for the landscaper had refused to engage in settlement discussions, claiming that the driver […]

We successfully litigated a personal injury claim for a 74 year old woman who was savagely attacked by three dogs in her own yard, and obtained a $1,000,000 judgment in Wayne County Superior Court. Our investigation revealed that the owners of the dogs and the home where the animals were kept had no insurance and […]

Riddle & Brantley are the most amazing, sweet, professional, patient, understanding, knowledgeable, well, I guess you can see what I think of them. My case was settled exactly one year to the day of the accident.

I really enjoyed how Riddle & Brantley worked with me through this whole process, always with a kind voice and the smiles were so inviting. This allowed me to know that I picked the right law firm for my case.

Regardless of your job, there are potential hazards that can cause serious injuries. As a result, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that employees are fairly compensated for their workplace injuries without having to file a lawsuit against the employer. It is important to remember that you are […]

For most people, the only time they interact with an attorney is when something bad has happened to them such as an injury or a car accident. While under the emotional or physical pain after an incident, it may not be easy to find an attorney, especially the right attorney, to represent you. You will […]

If you were hurt — physically, emotionally, or financially — due to another person’s negligence, you may qualify for a personal injury lawsuit. Whether someone else can be held responsible is key to determining if you have a case. With enough evidence that someone’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to reach a […]

What Should I Do If a Car Hits Me or a Loved One While We’re Walking?

A 34-year-old mother lost her life recently in a Johnston County pedestrian accident, per a WRAL-TV report. The woman’s 8-year-old son was also hit by the same car that claimed her life. While he is expected to recover, he suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw. The woman’s 7-year-old daughter was with them at the time of the incident, but escaped without injury.

Prior to the deadly collision, the young mother was walking her children to a bus stop on Barberry Drive. Around 8:30 am, as she and her children were walking down Barberry Drive toward the bus stop, a Kia heading south on Barberry hit the woman and her son. The driver of the Kia, a 49-year-old woman, told the North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers on the scene that she could not see the woman and her children walking before her car struck them, because the sun was in her eyes.

A spokesperson for the NCSHP reported that the driver of the Kia did not have a driver’s license at the time of the fatal wreck. However, since Barberry Drive is a private street, she cannot be charged with driving without a license as a result of the crash. As of this writing, NCSHP was still investigating the incident, and charges are pending against the driver of the Kia.

What to Do If You’re the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident

CityLab, an offshoot of The Atlantic, featured a story about what people should do if they are hit by a car as a pedestrian or cyclist, which included the following list of tips:

If possible, try to get out of the street.

If you can, make sure that the driver does not leave the accident scene.

Call the police and/or 911.

If you or anyone else is injured, make sure to seek immediate medical attention.

If you can, stay at the accident scene until the police arrive and you have given them a statement.

Get the contact and insurance information of the driver. Also, get the contact information of any passengers and witnesses.

Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries and the vehicle.

Do not talk to the driver’s insurance company until after you have spoken to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Following a pedestrian accident, victims and their families should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. The driver’s insurance company will do whatever it can to minimize the driver’s fault in the wreck, which could limit the financial help that injury victims and their families receive. An attorney can answer your questions, explain your rights and discuss the best options available to you and your family.